If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.~Jimmy Buffett
We often “build” our trips around destinations where friends and family live. Sydney, Australia is no exception.
For the past 3 weeks, we’ve stayed with dear friends who live in the Northern Beaches area, outside Sydney. This area extends from Broken Bay in the north to Port Jackson (Sydney Harbor) in the south. Walking and cycling trails border these beaches, famous for their surf and pristine waters. Some beaches are nestled within parks and at least one of them is adjacent to a golf course.
When our friends offer to take us to their favorite beaches, we’re always eager to go. Every one is unique. Here are some of my favorites:
Curl Curl Beach
The sandstone cliffs at Curl Curl Beach are breathtaking. We came for a visit right before sunset. The coloration of the sand was as striking as the evening sky.
Here’s another shot of the beach and evening sky at Curl Curl. In the distance you can see the town of Manly, built into surrounding hills–another dominant feature of this terrain.
Long Reef
On another day, we hiked up the hills at Long Reef, tucked in between nature reserves. It also adjoins Long Reef Golf Club. I love the undulations in the coves and inlets.
Balgowlah to Manly Beach Bush Walk
This walk took us through some dense brush, which opened suddenly to beautiful vistas of the harbor, bays and inlets. The full coastal walk is 10km (6.2 miles), but it’s possible to hike shorter sections.
In some places the brush was scorched by fire, but here you can see the first patches of green as the scrub regenerates. In the distance, through the brush, you can see flashes of the harbor.
Dee Why Beach
To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude.~Jeanne Moreau
Two weeks ago, we caught a rare foggy day at Dee Why Beach. A woman walking along the shore seemed to appear out of the mist.
Barrenjoey
My life is like a stroll on the beach… as near to the edge as I can go. ~Thoreau
One afternoon, we walked to Sydney’s most northern point–Barrenjoey Head, which is 91m (299 feet) above sea level. We climbed a steep path with stunning views of Broken Bay and Pittwater.
Next week, we’ll say goodbye to our friends and head south to explore another province and another city. Melbourne, the coastal capital of Victoria, is a city of 4.4 million people, famous for its cultural life, innovative cuisine, and international flare. Sounds good to me!
A special thanks to Amy for this week’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge #27, My Travels. Wishing you a great start to the new year and an inspiring week.
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
Gorgeous photos. Hope you have a wonderful time in Melbourne — my favourite place in Australia.
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Thank you, Sue! This trip to Melbourne is a first for us. So glad you enjoyed it there.
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My partner has to go to Melbourne for work a lot, and we have friends there, so it’s ki d of a second home 😀
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Beautiful photos of the Northern Beaches. Thank you for the fabulous tour, Patti. And, looking forward for more. 🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Amy, and this week’s inspiring theme. 🙂 🙂
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Awesome gallery of the Northern Beaches. The view from the Lighthouse reminds me of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand, only it was much smaller. I think my favourite is “Cloudy Day at Dee Why Beach”, really like the mood in this one.
Wishing you a wonderful time in Melbourne.
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Hi, Hanne! I’m delighted that you stopped by! I appreciate your kind words about the shots. It has been a photographer’s paradise here in Oz. We haven’t been to Thailand yet. It’s on our long list of places where we want to travel. All the best to you too in 2019.
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Well, you’ve seen some great beeches, Patti!
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They are incredible, Sue, and we haven’t seen them all!
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😀
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Gorgeous beaches, Patti. I’m mostly a mountain woman myself (although I live on the plains), but I understand the appeal of a beautiful beach and the sounds of the ocean.
janet
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Hi, Janet. There is no better place to relax, I think. The water, the waves, the sun…heavenly. I definitely understand your love of the mountains, though. They are exhilarating. Have you been to the Alps yet? I’ve flown over them. Magnificent.
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Beautiful beaches. I think I will have to borrow that first quote from you!
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Please do, MM! I loved it too, obviously!
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What fun Patti – looks like you’re definitely making the most of your trip! Loved the shot high above the beach, and also the black tree forest. Looking forward to seeing more of your trip as it evolves!
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Thank you so much, Tina. I have to confess that I thought of you when we passed the golf course at Long Reef. 🙂 🙂 Are you back in golf country now?
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perfect!
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🙂 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thank you so much, Cindy. I hope all’s well with you and that you’re getting ready for your next trip. 🙂 🙂
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Beautiful, Patti – some gorgeous beaches I understand! Even if I am a forest person, I do appreciate the sound of water and waves – and beautiful shots like yours! Wishing you more beaches and more fun down under!
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Hi, A-C. Thanks for your kind words and wishes. 🙂 The beaches here are amazing. I must confess that I’m not the type who likes lying in the sun for hours. I’m happy wandering and taking pictures!! I can understand your love of the woods. They are majestic and calming, aren’t they?
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Yes, wandering and taking pictures is the best thing😊
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Wonderful places and wonderful pics !
Ciao ciao
Max
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Grazie mille, Max. 🙂 🙂
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We do have some beautiful beaches. I love how each photographer interprets the same scene differently, and changes in light and weather provides us with an endless variation. You will love Melbourne, Patti.
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Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m excited that you, an Aussie, saw the post! The beaches definitely reflect the light and weather. Gorgeous!
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You’re welcome, Patti.
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Beautiful shots!
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Thank you, V.J.!! 🙂 🙂
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Love the Buffet quote – beaches are my favorite too!
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Leave it to J. Buffet to have a quote about the beach!! 🙂 🙂
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>> We often “build” our trips around destinations where friends and family live.
I have a huge smile on my face… I thought only Chinese do this. 😉
Lovely photos, Patti. I don’t know why, some look like paintings for me and I love it.
Have a great day.
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Your comment made me smile, Helen! I guess we have that in common with the Chinese! I’m so glad you enjoyed my photos too. Have a wonderful day, Helen. 🙂
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These look like sci-fi real world portals. Beautiful photos, Patti!
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I like that, Luanne. Portals to other worlds–especially that first shot, I think. It was other-worldly. I hope all’s well with you. All the best in the new year.
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You too, Patti! Let’s make a wonderful year out of 2019!
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Agreed. 🙂
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So beautiful beaches Patti!!!
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Thank you, so much, Paolo. 🙂 🙂
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Happy days, my nomadic friend! The photos are gorgeous. 🙂 🙂
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Hi, Jo. I hope my wandering friend is having fun in Portugal, the U.K….wherever you may be right now!! 🙂 🙂 Have a great walk today.
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We had a lovely hill walk this morning (Sunday 🙂 ). Might give myself the day off tomorrow!
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Patti and Dick! I had no idea you were in Australia. We have MOED cousins by the name of Leibler in Melbourne. Marc L. is a well-known attorney there. I knew his grandmother when we were girls in Antwerp, Belgium. Hjope you can meet!
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Hi, Henny. That’s great! Do you have an email for him? We are going there today!!
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There is so much positive side being on the beach breathing the salty air and soaking up the sun. My goodness, your place is a paradise. Love the woman coming out of the mist.
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So true, Perpetua! I agree. Glad you like the Misty shot. 😊😊
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Great post! How nuts was the sea fog?! I was snorkeling that day & it was clear and blue when I first dove in. When I resurfaced and looked back toward the beach – someone had stolen it ! I was surrounded by nothing but white, land was nowhere to be seen! It definitely made for a fun return to shore !
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So you were there too!! What a coincidence!
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Wow…those are stunning picture..very well taken.
Do check my blogs too in https://mesmotsbysazz.com
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Thank you!
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Hi Patti, Your beautiful images bring back wonderful memories from when we lived in Sydney. The Manly Walk is amazing and I’ve stood at that same spot at Barrenjoey. 🙂 Incredible beauty. Enjoy Melbourne – you will love the street art. Wishing you many adventures like this in 2019!
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Hi, Jane. I didn’t know you lived here! What a great experience. We have tried to live abroad at various points in our lives, but unfortunately the plans fell through. Thanks for your kind words on the shots and all the best to you in 2019! More adventures, more light, and more beauty to discover.
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Beautiful images and glorious beaches Patti! I’m looking forward to seeing more and wish you happy times in Melbourne 🤗💖
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Thank you, Xenia. I’m not surprised you like the beaches. 🙂 🙂
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I’m so excited to see a few photos of your trip to Australia! Did you see any people in the water? Looks like it might be a surfer’s paradise. 🙂
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Definitely a surfer’s paradise, Jackie! So glad you are enjoying these shots.
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I think my fav is also the Cloudy Day at Dee Why beach. Great ph shots! 🙂
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It is a mood shot, I think. Glad you stopped by, Nora!
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How beautiful! Happy and safe travels to you.
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Great photos and nice write up on some of the best beaches in Sydney!!
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Hi, John. I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. I’m glad you enjoyed this post about the Sydney beaches. They were great. I hope you get to see them too.
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Beautiful! Makes me want to visit Australia!
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I hope you do!
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